imposed taxes on the general population but otherwise did not interfere with local
ways and customs. Antioch grew to be a large capital, second only to Alexandria,
with a population consisting of Greek immigrants and a large number of Aramaic
speakers and a sizable Jewish community. It had a flourishing cultural life. The Greek
poet Aratus lived there for a time, and the Greek poet Euphorion was appointed
librarian of its public library. Little of its architectural splendour survives.
In the late third century the control of the Seleucids over their vast empire began
to weaken. First, the far eastern territories broke away. Then in the west the Attalids
established a fourth dynasty within what had been Seleucid territory whose capital
was the ancient city of Pergamum in north-west Asia Minor. The founder of the
dynasty was Philetaerus (c.343–263), son of a Macedonian called Attalus, a success-
ful military leader who together with Antiochus I had defeated the Galatians (the
Gauls) who after their repulse from Greece had crossed over to Asia Minor and made
incursions into Seleucid territory in 278–276. Philetaerus strengthened the city’s
fortifications and endowed its acropolis with temples. The city was rich enough in his
time to issue its own coins, bearing the head of Seleucus in recognition of Seleucid
overlordship. Said to be a eunuch, he adopted his nephew who succeeded him as
Eumenes I, who ruled from 263 to 241.
Eumenes freed Pergamum from Seleucid rule by defeating Antiochus I at Sardis
in 261. Coins were minted in his reign bearing the head of Philetaerus, marking this
new independence. He adopted his second cousin who succeeded him as Attalus I
who ruled from 241 to 197. Attalus consolidated the power of Pergamum after a
victory in the 230s over the Galatians, who had continued to exact tribute from much
of Asia Minor despite their earlier defeat in the 270s. In 238 Attalus took the title of
king, which was applied retrospectively to the dynasty. He allied himself with Rome,
taking an active part in their wars with the Macedonians and increasing the power
and wealth of Pergamum accordingly. As successful military leaders, the Attalids had
promoted Athena Nikephoros (‘Victory bringer’) as the patron goddess of the dynasty
endowing her with a sanctuary in the upper city, which was decorated with the statues
of the defeated Galatians (Gauls) after their successful victories over them.
The beautification of the city was the work of Eumenes II; in his reign (197–158)
the great Altar of Zeus was constructed (fig. 68) which made the city famous for its
school of sculpture (figs. 68–71). He also built a library which grew to be second in
importance only to that of Alexandria and was traditionally associated with invention
of parchment.
In the finished city there were theatres and gymnasia for games and education.
The philhellenism of the Attalids is most apparent in the architecture of its citadel
which is modelled on the acropolis of Athens. The only feature in the urban planning
that marks a difference from the Athenian model is the central place given to the royal
palace.
HISTORY 89